JK for amending Act to make anti-corruption body vibrant

The government on Monday assured the Assembly to bring in a comprehensive bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Commission Act-2002 to make the anti-corruption body more effective, after an Independent MLA introduced a bill in this line.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who supports the NC-led government from outside, however, withdrew the bill after the government said it would move a bill within three months to give more teeth to the commission to bring politicians, including ministers, under the Act's purview to curb corruption.

Rashid said the government failed to appoint chairman of the commission for the past two years.

"Government is making tall claims to eradicate corruption. But, it has not been able to appoint chairman of the commission. Justice (Retd) R P Sethi, who was the first chairman of the commission, passed away two years back," he said.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, A M Sagar, opposed the bill at the introduction stage and said government plans to bring in a comprehensive bill making the commission more effective.

"We will make it effective and bring politicians, ministers and others under its purview. I assure you that the comprehensive bill will be brought within three months."